Supporting frame assembly having inclination adjustment mechanism

ABSTRACT

A supporting frame assembly includes a first module and a second module pivotally connected to the first module. The first and second modules each include a main body, a pair of aligned knuckles formed on one long side of the main body, a pair of aligned pivot pins formed on an opposite long side of the main body, a lock portion formed between the pivot pins, and a sliding block slidably connected to the top of the main body. The sliding block of the first module is movable along the top of the main body between a first position and a second position with respect to the lock portion of the second module. When the sliding block of the first module is located at the second position, the sliding block is fixedly engaged with the lock portion of the second module to limit rotation between the first and second modules.

1. TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a supporting frame assembly that canbe used with an object such as an electronic device, the supportingframe assembly having an inclination adjustment mechanism to adjust aninclination of the supporting frame assembly and hence a desiredorientation of the object.

2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Nowadays, numerous kinds of electronic devices, such as a desktoptelephone, a keyboard or a display screen, generally include asupporting bracket mounted on a backside thereof. The electronic devicecan be firmly positioned on a supporting surface by the supportingbracket.

However, the supporting bracket is generally integrally formed as onemonolithic, rigid piece. Accordingly, when placing the electronic deviceon an uneven supporting surface or in a narrow space, it is hard for theuser to precisely adjust the inclination of the electronic device withrespect to the supporting surface.

What is needed, therefore, is a supporting means which can overcome theabove-mentioned limitations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present embodiments can be better understood withreference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings arenot necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed uponclearly illustrating the principles of the present embodiments.Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designatecorresponding parts throughout the views.

FIG. 1 is an isometric, perspective view of a supporting frame assemblyin accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of a first module of thesupporting frame assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of the first module of thesupporting frame assembly of FIG. 1 when the first module is inverted,wherein a pair of elastic elements of the first module is omitted forclarity.

FIG. 4 is a left-side, cutaway view of a supporting frame assembly inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a supporting frame assembly 1 in accordance with afirst embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. Thesupporting frame assembly 1 includes two standard modules; i.e., a firstmodule 10, and a second module 20 pivotally connected to the firstmodule 10. The first and second modules 10, 20 have substantially thesame structure. In detail, the first module 10 includes an elongatedmain body 11, a pair of aligned knuckles 121 formed on one long side ofthe main body 11, a pair of axially aligned pivot pins 133 formed on anopposite long side of the main body 11, a sliding block 14 slidablyconnected to the top of the main body 11, and a drive element 15pivotally connected to the top of the main body 11 and abutting againstthe sliding block 14. Similarly, the second module 20 includes anelongated main body 21, a pair of aligned knuckles 221 formed on onelong side of the main body 21, a pair of axially aligned pivot pins 233formed on an opposite long side of the main body 21, a sliding block 24slidably connected to the top of the main body 21, and a drive element25 pivotally connected to the top of the main body 21 and abuttingagainst the sliding block 24. The pivot pins 233 of the second module 20are rotatably supported by the knuckles 121 of the first module 10.

Referring also to FIGS. 2 and 3, because the first and second modules10, 20 have substantially the same structure, this description and theaccompanying drawings mainly illustrate the structure of the firstmodule 10.

The main body 11 of the first module 10 is a rectangular block. The mainbody 11 has a top surface 110 and a bottom surface 111 at opposite sidesthereof. The main body 11 defines a first recess 112 and a second recess113 in the top surface 110 thereof. The first and second recesses 112,113 communicate with each other. The first recess 112 extends throughsaid one long side of the main body 11 to define a gap 115. The gap 115is separate from the second recess 113. The main body 11 defines twospaced grooves 114 in the bottom surface 111 thereof. The two spacedgrooves 114 are respectively located at opposite ends of the bottomsurface 111 of the main body 11.

The main body 11 also defines a pair of pin holes 1131 at opposite innersides of the second recess 113. The pin holes 1131 are aligned with eachother. The second recess 113 communicates with the two spaced grooves 14through the two pin holes 1131. The main body 11 further defines a pairof guiding slots 1121 at opposite inner sides of the first recess 112.The guiding slots 1121 are parallel to each other. Each of the guidingslots 1121 extends along a widthwise direction of the main body 11 (i.e.perpendicular to the long sides of the main body 11). One of oppositeends of each guiding slot 1121 is open and in communication with thesecond recess 113, while the other end of each guiding slot 1121 distantfrom the second recess 113 is closed.

The knuckles 121 are separate from each other, and are aligned with eachother along a longitudinal direction of the main body 11. The knuckles121 are tubular. Each of the knuckles 121 defines a through hole 1211therein, the through hole 1211 extending axially through the knuckle 121from one end to the other end. Each knuckle 121 also defines a slit 1212in a sidewall thereof, the slit 1212 extending radially through thesidewall to communicate with the through hole 1211. A length of the slit1212 is the same as that of the knuckle 121. A transverse width of theslit 1212 is smaller than a diameter of the through hole 1211 of theknuckle 121.

The first module 10 also includes two spaced fixing portions 132, and alock portion 131 sandwiched between the fixing portions 132. Each of thefixing portions 132 is a block with a semicylindrical longitudinal side.The pivot pins 133 extend horizontally outwardly from outer ends of thefixing portions 132, respectively. Each pivot pin 133 extends outwardlyfrom the outer end of the corresponding fixing portion 132, along alongitudinal direction of the main body 11 away from the other fixingportion 132. The two pivot pins 133 are axially aligned with each other.Each of the pivot pins 133 has a diameter slightly smaller than that ofeach through hole 1211, but larger than the width of each slit 1212.

The lock portion 131 is made of plastic material, so as to provideincreased surface friction. The lock portion 131 is elastically clampedbetween the two fixing portions 132. The lock portion 131 is a blockwith a semicylindrical longitudinal side. The lock portion 131 has adiameter slightly larger than that of each fixing portion 132.Alternatively, the lock portion 131 and the two fixing portions 132 canbe integrally formed as one monolithic piece, with the two pivot pins133 extending horizontally outwardly from two opposite ends of themonolithic piece, respectively.

The sliding block 14 of the first module 10 is approximatelyrectangular-shaped. A pair of stoppers 141 extends outwardly from twoopposite ends of the sliding block 14, respectively. The stoppers 141each define a receiving hole 1411 therein. The stoppers 141 are slidablyreceived in the guiding slots 1121, respectively. The sliding block 14has a concave lock surface 142 at one of opposite long sides thereof.The lock surface 142 is engaged with a lock portion 231 of the secondmodule 20 (see FIG. 1). The lock surface 142 faces away from the secondrecess 113. In the present embodiment, the lock surface 142 has anarc-shaped transverse cross-section. Alternatively, the shape of thelock surface 142 can be changed according to a complementary shape ofthe lock portion 231 of the second module 20.

The first module 10 further includes a pair of elastic elements 16. Theelastic elements 16 are partly received in the two receiving holes 1411of the stoppers 141, respectively. Each elastic element 16 iselastically connected between the closed end of the correspondingguiding slot 1121 and the inmost end of the receiving hole 1411 of thecorresponding stopper 141. In the present embodiment, each elasticelement 16 is a compression spring. A length of each elastic element 16in the free state is larger than that of each guiding slot 1121.

The drive element 15 of the first module 10 includes a semicylindricalcam 151, a pair of rotating pins 153 extending outwardly from twoopposite ends of the cam 151, and an operating portion 152 extendingslantwise from a long sidewall of the cam 151. The rotating pins 153 areaxially aligned with each other. The rotating pins 153 are rotatablyreceived in the pin holes 1131, respectively. An outer periphery of thecam 151 protrudes toward the sliding block 14, and abuts against theother one of the opposite long sides of the sliding block 14. In thepresent embodiment, the operating portion 152 is substantially in theform of a plate that can be gripped by a user. Alternatively, theoperating portion 152 can be a handle.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, the first module 10 is assembled as follows.Firstly, ends of the pair of elastic elements 16 are respectivelyreceived in the two receiving holes 1411 of the stoppers 141. Secondly,the sliding block 14, together with the pair of elastic elements 16, islowered into the first recess 112 until the sliding block 14 iscompletely slidably received in the first recess 112. That is, the pairof stoppers 141 is slidably received in the guiding slots 1121 locatedat the opposite sides of the first recess 112. Each elastic element 16is slightly compressed and connected between the closed end of thecorresponding guiding slot 1121 and the inmost end of the correspondingreceiving hole 1411. After that, the drive element 15 is lowered intothe second recess 113 until the pair of rotating pins 153 isrespectively rotatably received in the pin holes 1131. In this position,the protruded outer periphery of the cam 151 abuts against the otherlong side of the sliding block 14. The second module 20 is assembled inthe same manner as that of the first module 10.

The first module 10 is assembled with the second module 20 as follows.Firstly, a pushing force is exerted on the second module 20 to force thepivot pins 233 into the slits 1212 of the knuckles 121 of the firstmodule 10. Accordingly, the knuckles 121 are elastically deformed toexpand the transverse widths of the slits 1212 and allow the pivot pins233 to pass through the slits 1212. The pivot pins 233 of the secondmodule 20 are thus sleeved in the through holes 1211 of the knuckles 121of the first module 10, as shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the firstmodule 10 is rotatable about the pivot pins 233 of the second module 20.

Referring to FIG. 4, a supporting frame assembly 1 a in accordance witha second embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.Differently from the supporting frame assembly 1 of the firstembodiment, the supporting frame assembly 1 a includes three standardmodules; i.e., a first module 10, a second module 20, and a third module30. The first, second and third modules 10, 20, 30 have the samestructure. The pivot pins 233 (not shown in FIG. 4) of the second module20 are rotatably supported by the knuckles 121 of the first module 10. Apair of pivot pins 333 of the third module 30 are rotatably supported bythe knuckles 221 of the second module 20.

In operation of the supporting frame assembly 1 or the supporting frameassembly 1 a, the sliding block 14 of the first module 10 can be drivenby the drive element 15 to move along the top of the main body 11 of thefirst module 10 between a first position and a second position withrespect to the lock portion 231 of the second module 20. When thesliding block 14 of the first module 10 moves from the first position tothe second position, the lock surface 142 of the sliding block 14 of thefirst module 10 moves toward the lock portion 231 of the second module20.

When the sliding block 14 of the first module 10 is located at the firstposition (see FIG. 4), the operating portion 152 protrudes up beyond thetop of the main body 11 of the first module 10. That is, the operatingportion 152 is oriented almost vertically. The drive element 15 exerts aslight pushing force on the sliding block 14, such that the slidingblock 14 is positioned adjacent to the lock portion 231 of the secondmodule 20. In this position, the elastic elements 16 held in the tworeceiving holes 1411 are slightly compressed, and provide resilientforce to hold the sliding block 14 in the first position.

In the embodiment, when the sliding block 14 of the first module 10 islocated at the first position, the lock surface 142 of the sliding block14 is separate from the lock portion 231 of the second module 20, asshown in FIG. 4. Thus the first module 10 can freely rotate about thepivot pins 233 of the second module 20.

The sliding block 14 of the first module 10 is moved from the firstposition to the second position by pushing the operating portion 152down. The operating portion 152 is then completely received in thesecond recess 113 of the first module 10. That is, the operating portion152 becomes oriented almost horizontally, as shown in FIG. 1. In thisprocess, the cam 151 of the drive element 15 exerts a considerablepushing force on the other long side of the sliding block 14 to drivethe sliding block 14 to move toward the lock portion 231 of the secondmodule 20, until the lock surface 142 of the sliding block 14 is fixedlyengaged with the lock portion 231 of the second module 20. Suchengagement limits rotation between the first and second modules 10, 20.In one embodiment, the engagement prevents rotation between the firstand second modules 10, 20; and rotation can only occur when theoperating portion 152 is lifted up to release the sliding block 14 fromthe lock portion 231.

It is convenient for a user to precisely adjust an angle between eachtwo adjacent standard modules 10, 20, 30. For example, when the slidingblock 14 of the first module 10 is located at a position somewherebetween the first position and the second position, the first module 20is freely rotatable about the pivot pins 233 of the second module 20 inan angular range from about 90 degrees to about 270 degrees. When theangle between the first and second modules 10, 20 is adjusted by theuser and reaches a desired angle, then the user presses down theoperating portion 152 of the drive element 15 until the operationportion 152 is completely received in the second recess 113 of the firstmodule 10. Accordingly, the sliding block 14 of the first module 10 isdriven by the drive element 15 to move toward the lock portion 231 ofthe second module 20, until the sliding block 14 is located at thesecond position with respect to the lock portion 231. Thus the locksurface 142 of the sliding block 14 is fixedly engaged with the lockportion 231 of the second module 20, to limit rotation between the firstand second modules 10, 20 and maintain the desired angle therebetween.

When there is a need to readjust the angle between the first and secondmodules 10, 20, the user applies a pulling force on the operatingportion 152 of the drive element 15 to lift up the operation portion152. This releases the lock surface 142 of the sliding block 14 fromengagement with the lock portion 231 of the second module 20. Thus thesliding block 14 is driven by resilient force provided by the elasticelements 16 to move away from the lock portion 231 of the second module20, until the lock surface 142 of the sliding block 14 is separate fromthe lock portion 231 of the second module 20. Accordingly, the firstmodule 10 is again freely rotatable about the pivot pins 233 of thesecond module 20.

Similarly, an angle between the second and third modules 20, 30 can beeasily adjusted by much the same process as that described above. Thus,the supporting frame assembly 1, 1 a provides an inclination adjustmentmechanism to precisely adjust an inclination thereof. Furthermore, sincethe supporting frame assembly 1, 1 a includes at least two standardmodules 10, 20, 30 pivotally attached to one another, the flexibility ofuse of the supporting frame assembly 1, 1 a is improved. This can beparticularly advantageous when, e.g., an electronic device utilizing thesupporting frame assembly 1, 1 a needs to be placed on an unevensupporting surface or in a narrow space.

It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will beunderstood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent thatvarious changes may be made thereto without departing from the spiritand scope of the disclosure or sacrificing all of its materialadvantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferredor exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A supporting frame assembly comprising: a firstmodule; and a second module pivotally connected to the first module;wherein each of the first and second modules comprises an elongated mainbody, a pair of aligned knuckles formed on one long side of the mainbody, a pair of aligned pivot pins formed on an opposite long side ofthe main body, a lock portion formed between the pivot pins, and asliding block slidably connected to the top of the main body; whereinthe pivot pins of the second module are rotatably supported by theknuckles of the first module, and the sliding block of the first moduleis movable along the top of the main body of the first module between afirst position and a second position with respect to the lock portion ofthe second module; and wherein when the sliding block of the firstmodule moves from the first position to the second position, the slidingblock of the first module moves towards the lock portion of the secondmodule; and when the sliding block of the first module is located at thesecond position, the sliding block of the first module is fixedlyengaged with the lock portion of the second module to limit rotationbetween the first and second modules.
 2. The supporting frame assemblyof claim 1, wherein each of the first and second modules furthercomprises a drive element pivotally connected to the top of the mainbody and abutting against the sliding block, and the sliding block isdrivable by the drive element to move along the top of the main body. 3.The supporting frame assembly of claim 2, wherein the drive elementcomprises a semicylindrical cam, a pair of rotating pins extendingoutwardly from two opposite ends of the semicylindrical cam and beingaxially aligned with each other, and an operating portion extendingslantwise from a long sidewall of the semicylindrical cam.
 4. Thesupporting frame assembly of claim 3, wherein the cam of the driveelement abuts against the sliding block connected to the main body, andthe rotating pins of the drive element are pivotally connected to thetop of the main body.
 5. The supporting frame assembly of claim 3,wherein the main body of each of the first and second modules defines afirst recess and a second recess, the second recess is located in thetop of the main body and communicates with the first recess, the slidingblock is slidably received in the first recess of the main body, and thedrive element is rotatably received in the second recess of the mainbody.
 6. The supporting frame assembly of claim 5, wherein the firstrecess extends through one long side of the main body to define a gap inthe long side of the main body.
 7. The supporting frame assembly ofclaim 5, wherein the main body of each of the first and second modulesdefines two spaced grooves in a bottom thereof.
 8. The supporting frameassembly of claim 7, wherein the main body of each of the first andsecond modules further defines a pair of pin holes at opposite innersides of the second recess to rotatably receive the rotating pins of thedrive element, and the second recess of the main body communicates withthe two grooves of the main body through the pin holes.
 9. Thesupporting frame assembly of claim 5, wherein the sliding block of eachof the first and second modules is approximately rectangular-shaped, apair of stoppers extends outwardly from two opposite ends of the slidingblock, and the main body of each of the first and second modules definesa pair of guiding slots at opposite inner sides of the first recess toslidably receive the stoppers of the sliding block.
 10. The supportingframe assembly of claim 9, wherein each guiding slot extends along awidthwise direction of the main body, and one of opposite ends of eachguiding slot distant from the second recess is closed.
 11. Thesupporting frame assembly of claim 10, wherein each of the first andsecond modules further comprises a pair of elastic elements, and theelastic elements are partly received in the guiding slots, respectively.12. The supporting frame assembly of claim 11, wherein each of thestoppers of the sliding block defines a receiving hole therein, thereceiving holes of the stoppers receive ends of the elastic elementstherein, respectively, and each elastic element is elastically connectedbetween the closed end of the corresponding guiding slot and the inmostend of the corresponding receiving hole.
 13. The supporting frameassembly of claim 11, wherein each elastic element is a compressionspring.
 14. The supporting frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the pairof knuckles of each of the first and second modules is separate fromeach other and aligned with each other along a longitudinal direction ofthe main body, and the pivot pins of the second module are sleeved bythe pair of knuckles of the first module.
 15. The supporting frameassembly of claim 14, wherein each knuckle is tubular and defines athrough hole therein, and the through hole extends axially through theknuckle.
 16. The supporting frame assembly of claim 15, wherein eachknuckle also defines a slit in a sidewall thereof, and the slit extendsradially through the sidewall to communicate with the through hole. 17.The supporting frame assembly of claim 16, wherein a length of the slitis the same as that of the knuckle, and a transverse width of the slitis smaller than a diameter of the through hole of the knuckle.
 18. Thesupporting frame assembly of claim 14, wherein each of the first andsecond modules further comprises two spaced fixing portions, the lockportion is between the fixing portions, and the pivot pins extendshorizontally outwardly from outer ends of the two fixing portions,respectively.
 19. The supporting frame assembly of claim 18, wherein thesliding block of each of the first and second modules has a lock surfaceat one of opposite long sides thereof; and when the sliding block of thefirst module is located at the second position along the top of the mainbody of the first module, the lock surface of the sliding block of thefirst module is fixedly engaged with the lock portion of the secondmodule.
 20. The supporting frame assembly of claim 1, further comprisinga third module pivotally connected to the second module; the thirdmodule comprising an elongated main body, a pair of aligned knucklesformed on one long side of the main body, a pair of aligned pivot pinsformed on an opposite long side of the main body, a lock portion formedbetween the pivot pins, and a sliding block slidably connected to thetop of the main body; wherein the pivot pins of the third module arerotatably supported by the knuckles of the second module, and thesliding block of the second module is movable along the top of the mainbody of the second module between a first position and a second positionwith respect to the lock portion of the third module; and wherein whenthe sliding block of the second module moves from the first position tothe second position along the top of the main body of the second module,the sliding block of the second module moves towards the lock portion ofthe third module; and when the sliding block of the second module islocated at the second position along the top of the main body of thesecond module, the sliding block of the second module is fixedly engagedwith the lock portion of the third module to limit rotation between thesecond and third modules.